Get The Latest News

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Sri Lanka. “The words mean ‘resplendent isle’ and the natural charms of this pear-shaped island in the Indian Ocean that nearly kisses the southeast tip of India are indeed splendid.”

This is how Sri Lanka is described on the National Geographic website which recently awarded the island the second spot on its list of the world’s 20 best tourist destinations which includes some of the most exotic and exclusive locations such as Bali. This latest accolade follows a recent spate of positive reviews the country has received, placing it well on the international map, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB).

The National Geographic’s countdown show included Sri Lanka’s beaches, food and wildlife in addition to must see attractions such as Sigiriya as features to entice tourists to the island.

In a statement, the SLTPB’s Managing Director Dileep Mudadeniya said Sri Lanka is proud to have received such prestigious reviews from a reputable media channel such as National Geographic.

“The network, as always, carried positive features on Sri Lanka and we are regularly featured on Animal Planet as well,” he said. The National Geographic’s features also included sound bytes from internationally reputed travel writers for the Times, Jill Crawshaw and Editor for Wanderlust magazine, Lyn Hughes.

The SLTPB said it has been working continuously with all international media groups and with National Geographic in particularly, providing information on various facets of Sri Lanka Tourism. The SLTPB added that as a destination, Sri Lanka is also on the threshold of being granted the status of being a ‘Geo tourism’ site through the National Geographic group. Expectations are that the new status will increase the number of inbound tourists, bringing in a new fast rising segment of tourists who only frequent ‘Geo tourism’ destinations.
According to the SLTPB, National Geographic Canada was in Sri Lanka last year shooting footage for an episode of its popular series ‘Departures’ which will be aired on the programme’s fourth season. Sri Lanka has also been heavily featured in National Geographic publications including a 20 page photo spread in National Geographic China this year.